Netflix’s Operation Safed Sagar brings a lesser known chapter of the 1999 Kargil War to the screen by focusing on the Indian Air Force and the Golden Arrows Squadron.
The series is inspired by the real events surrounding Operation Safed Sagar, the Indian Air Force’s air campaign during the Kargil conflict. Netflix describes the production as a retelling of the Golden Arrows Squadron’s role during the war and says the series was developed with extensive research and consultations with Indian Air Force veterans.
At the centre of the story is No 17 Squadron, popularly known as the Golden Arrows. The squadron played an important role during the Kargil conflict in 1999, operating in extremely difficult mountainous conditions.
The series focuses on a group of pilots and officers whose real life experiences became the basis for its characters. Jimmy Shergill portrays Wing Commander B S Dhanoa, known by the call sign Tony. Siddharth portrays Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, while Abhay Verma plays Flying Officer R S Dhaliwal, known as Dhali.
Other characters include Flying Officer C H Bal Reddy, known as Baldy, portrayed by Mihir Ahuja, Flight Lieutenant Jitendra Sangwan, known as Sangy, portrayed by Taaruk Raina, and Flying Officer Amit Gupta, known as Goofy, portrayed by Arnav Bhasin. Netflix has identified these characters and their real life inspirations in its official material about the series.
Wing Commander B S Dhanoa was the commanding officer of the Golden Arrows during the Kargil conflict. The squadron participated in Operation Safed Sagar and carried out combat missions in challenging high altitude conditions.
Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja is another central figure in the story. Ahuja was part of the Golden Arrows during the conflict and was killed during the Kargil War. He was subsequently awarded the Vir Chakra posthumously for his service and courage. Records from the Defence Research and Development Organisation also identify Ahuja as a member of the squadron during the 1999 operations.
Operation Safed Sagar was launched as the Indian Air Force’s contribution to the wider Indian military response to the Kargil conflict. The operation involved providing air support to ground forces and attacking positions occupied by Pakistani troops and other forces in the mountainous region.
The environment presented an extraordinary challenge for military aviation. Aircraft had to operate over rugged Himalayan terrain at very high altitudes, while pilots faced difficult weather, limited manoeuvring space and the need to coordinate closely with ground forces.
The Indian Air Force used several aircraft during the operation, including MiG 21, MiG 27 and Mirage 2000 aircraft. Helicopters were also used for various operational and support requirements. The Mirage 2000 became particularly important for precision attacks against selected targets.
The Golden Arrows were among the units that contributed to the air campaign. Their participation became an important part of the history of Operation Safed Sagar and the wider Kargil conflict.
The Netflix series concentrates primarily on the human stories surrounding the pilots. Along with the combat missions, it explores the relationships between the officers, their families and colleagues and the pressure created by the sudden transition from routine military life to wartime operations.
The production team has said that it consulted Indian Air Force veterans and families connected with the operation. Netflix also stated that the series was filmed at operational Air Force bases and used access to real aircraft and infrastructure to improve the authenticity of the production.
This approach has received positive feedback from some IAF veterans following the release of the series. Recent reports noted that veterans appreciated the depiction of squadron life, military culture and the psychological pressures faced by personnel during the Kargil conflict, while also recognising that the series includes creative elements required for dramatic storytelling.
The series premiered on Netflix on August 7, 2026. It is directed by Oni Sen and created by Abhijeet Singh Parmar and Kushal Srivastava. The cast includes Siddharth, Jimmy Shergill, Abhay Verma, Dia Mirza, Prajakta Koli, Adil Hussain and other actors.
The story has attracted attention because the Kargil War is generally remembered through the actions of Indian Army personnel on the ground, while the contribution of the Indian Air Force is less frequently portrayed in mainstream entertainment.
Operation Safed Sagar provides a fictionalised dramatic representation of that air campaign while drawing its main characters and events from real military history.
The title of the series itself refers to the codename used by the Indian Air Force for its operations during the Kargil conflict. The broader military campaign conducted by India was known as Operation Vijay.
The real Golden Arrows pilots operated under difficult circumstances and contributed to an air campaign that supported Indian ground forces during the conflict. Their experiences have now been brought to a wider audience through the Netflix series.
While the show uses dramatic storytelling, the historical figures behind the main characters give the series a direct connection to the events of 1999. The stories of Dhanoa, Ahuja and their fellow officers remain an important part of the Indian Air Force’s history during the Kargil War.
Operation Safed Sagar therefore combines military history with fictionalised television storytelling. For viewers interested in the real events, the series offers an introduction to the role of the Indian Air Force during the Kargil conflict, while historical records provide additional context about the personnel, aircraft and operations involved.
The story of the Golden Arrows ultimately highlights the demanding role played by Indian Air Force personnel during one of the most significant military conflicts in modern Indian history.